As a Matter of Faith - January 29, 2014

This week’s article is written by Jan VanMeter, a member of Godfrey First United Methodist Church.

Prayer is a longing of our soul. Prayer is a daily admitting of our weakness. Sometimes the words do not come, but when there are no words, pray with your heart...prayer opens our mornings and closes our evenings.

Soren Kierkegaard said, “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” Prayer is a burden lifting tool that God has given to us to use. My prayers are simple talks with God. I don’t always speak out loud. I sometimes feel my emotions are all bunched up in my head and a simple “Dear God” is all it takes to separate the turmoil.

We have all heard persons who are eloquent in prayer. Some are lovely and meaningful, but others are arduous and never-ending. Martin Luther said, “The fewer the words, the better the prayer”. We have all felt that at times our prayers are left unanswered, but I think they all are answered eventually, just not with the lightning speed we are wanting or with the answer we expect. We are all impatient; we are not a nation of patient people anymore. God does answer, and I know well, with my own pleas, when looking back, it became clear that God knew best.

Pray to be unburdened, but pray for it to be done in God’s way… ooh that is the toughie. I know I, and many others do the same thing, we mistakenly ask that it be done a certain way with a certain outcome. I try to remember this one thing: if I have the faith to believe that God will answer my prayer, then, I should have the faith to know that He will want only the best for me.

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”